James Webb Telescope discovers organic molecules in a different galaxy!
A Glimpse into Our Chemical Origins
For years, scientists have been searching for the chemical building blocks of life within our own galaxy. However, recent discoveries have expanded this search beyond the Milky Way. An international team of astronomers has detected complex organic molecules in the interstellar ice of a neighboring galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud.
Five Essential Organic Compounds
Lead by Marta Sewilo from NASA and the University of Maryland, the team identified five complex organic molecules in the ice: methanol, ethanol, methyl formate, acetaldehyde, and acetic acid. This groundbreaking discovery suggests that the chemical processes necessary for life may be universal throughout the cosmos.
A Galaxy with Primitive Universe Conditions
The Large Magellanic Cloud, with its low metallicity, provides a glimpse into the conditions of young galaxies in the early universe. This makes it a natural laboratory for studying the origins of life and the evolution of chemical compounds.
